The Word of the Day is Good: God is Good

Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
   and righteousness looks down from heaven.
The Lord will indeed give what is good,
   and our land will yield its harvest.

Psalms 85:11-12 NIV

I am thankful that God has given me what is good. He's given me a good wife, good children (two who are good adult men), a good job. I am also thankful for the goodness of God's salvation. 

God is good and he indeed will give what is good. 

The Eternal Tense of Forgiveness

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 

Colossians 1:21-22 NIV

God's goal, his end in mind, is to present you holy in his sight. He will deal with the blemishes and accusations. Sometimes the problem for us is that we still live as if we are alienated from God. We make choices as if we are still an enemy of God. 

In a way there is no tense that can adequately express the depth of the work of Christ on our sins. To say that we are forgiven doesn't just mean from the sins of the past and now we get to try to be perfect again. The reconciliation of death of Christ is eternal. Not just past, not just present, not just future, but eternal. When Christ died on the cross he knew we would sin, our whole life. He views us from eternity. His purpose is to present you holy, unblemished and free from accusation. 

Whatever you are struggling with, whatever you are going through, keep seeking Christ because he died to free you, not watch you try to be good enough. 

Think Good Stuff, Do Good Stuff

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9 NIV

I teach at a middle school. One of the classes I teach is a Math Tutor Lab and we use an online course. I am amazed that some of the students are failing the course yet, can find a way to get around the firewall to try to search inappropriate sites. They use all their mental powers just to attempt to get around the firewall. That's all they think about. 

Paul tells the Philippians and us to think about what is excellent or praiseworthy. The good stuff. Things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable. Think about these excellent and praiseworthy things. Put them into practice. Tell the truth. Do noble things. It's not about being right but doing the right things. Have pure thoughts (truthful, noble, righteous). Enjoy God's lovely creation. Honor what is admirable. The fruit of all this is the God of peace will be with us. 

For Which Has Christ Jesus Taken Hold of You?

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 

Philippians 3:12 NIV

There is a reason Christ took hold of each of us. I think of my wife and kids. I think of Mr. D at work who I ended up praying with about his brother and his brother got better. I think of each person who, through a God-incidence, I ended up praying with or just mentioning God to them. I think of Mr. C at work whose daughter has had countless physical issues. At first he was reluctant when I told him I would pray for his daughter, but, after a year, he asked me to. I'm sure there is more but those are what come to mind. 

For which reasons has God in Christ Jesus took hold of you? 

Be Who You Are, a Rock and a Priest

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 

1 Peter 2:4-5 NIV

Know who you are, be who you are, in Christ. You're a stone and you're a priest. You are part of the body of Christ. You are a member of the holy priesthood. Sometimes we feel like we are being wedged into a tight place, and we are. But, often that is because that is where God wants us to be. 

What I Need to Hear, Not What I Want to Hear

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Philippians 1:29-30 NIV

Let's face it, sometimes we only hear what we want to hear. We'll listen to a sermon and "critique" it. Not because it wasn't the truth, but, it just wasn't what we "needed" to hear. Maybe it was but, we just weren't willing to hear it. 

Suffering is never what we really want to hear is part of the plan. But, it is. Barry McGuire wrote a song (From a poem by Robert Browning Hamilton) entitled Walked a Mile and the chorus was

Walked a mile with pleasureShe chattered all the wayLeft me none the wiserWith all she had to sayWalked a mile with sorrowNever a word said sheBut oh the things I learned from herWhen sorrow walked with me

Hearing that suffering is what we need may not be the best news we can hear, but knowing that in all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28) is what we need to know. God uses trials and suffering to mold us into the image of Christ Jesus our Savior and Lord. Remember Christ suffered for you. 

Link http://lyrics.wikia.com/Barry_McGuire:Walked_A_Mile

utube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilBRJ70LRXs

All Purpose Advice

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

I've read some great books and heard a lot of sermons on marriage, parenting, boundaries and love languages but, the best advice I've ever heard on any type of relationship  is right here in Ephesians. 

You can talk all you want, and sometimes you shouldn't, but if you don't forgive, you'll just be assigning blame. You can give each other space and sometimes there is not a enough in the universe, but, if you don't remember that YOU need to be forgiven, you'll just be trying to get the other person to change so you don't have to.  

Whether you talking about marriage, parenting, friendships, work relationships, or daily dealings with people in general, if you don't remember that you need God to forgive you, you will never get to enjoy people as God intended you to enjoy them. Forgiveness opens the door to grace. Grace from God to you and from you to others. You want to see God work, forgive. 

Better

Better is one day in your courts
   than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
   than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
   the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
   from those whose walk is blameless. 
Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

Psalms 84:10 NIV

You can be a lot of things, hold any kind of position but, serving God is the highest honor and greatest gift. 

The word of the day: Forgave, God forgave our sins.

The word of the day is forgave. God forgave my sins. 

Thank you Father for sending your Son, your One and Only Son to forgive our iniquities, to cover all our sins. Praise be to you for setting aside all your wrath and turning from your fierce anger. Thank you that you forgave us.

He Is Able to Do More

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

More than we ask or imagine...I heard a NBA coach once say, in response to a question by a court side reporter about the obvious number of free throw calls in his teams favor, "Well, I think we should of got more calls." The reporter was kind of stunned and didn't know what to say. That is how I am when I read these verses. God is able to do more than I ask or imagine. 

Well, OK, Lord strengthen us in such a way that we can't even imagine. Provide for us in ways that we don't even know how to ask. Be glorified in our actions in ways we can't begin to measure.

You May Grow Up

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

1 Peter 2:1-3 NIV

A pastor of mine once asked, "How long have you been a Christian, ten years? Well, has it been ten years or one year ten times?

The point is: are you maturing or are you stuck in perpetual baby mode? Do you know not just that you sins are forgiven but, him who is from the beginning? Do you know that in Christ you have overcome the evil one? Have you learned to walk by faith even when you don't feel like it?

You know the Lord is good. You know you live in a world that is diametrically opposed to everything you believe. The world hates you because the world hates God. Jesus said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Maturity is knowing that God is Sovereign and has unfailing love for us and acting accordingly whatever the circumstances are around us. 

Do Good, Reap Good

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at

the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Galatians 6:7-10 NIV

Sometimes we do good, try to be giving and loving and all that comes back is negativity, selfishness and criticism. That's life in a world of people who live for themselves. And even as Christians we, at times, live according to the sinful nature too. No condemnation, just telling it like it is. Be patient, as God is patient with you. The way I look at it is that if God wasn't patient with me, I'd be dead.

I have seen that in some of my relationships that I have been in for a while, reaping comes after A LOT of sowing. Most of the time it is a the less I say but the more I do (serving, forgiving, honoring, encouraging, confronting while leaving them a way out, forgiving) process. Reaping can be quick and it can take time, but, God will bring a harvest of righteousness. What helps me is to remember how God continues to sow forgiveness, grace and mercy in me.

Keep on doing good, it is up to God to bring the harvest and he will at his appointed time. 

From Strength to Strength or Tears to Blessings

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
   whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
   they make it a place of springs;
   the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength,
   till each appears before God in Zion.

Psalms 84:5-7 NIV

Sometimes we refer to the valleys and mountain top experiences of our lives. I think it's easy to get caught up in the idea of somethings wrong if we are in a "valley". That's what encourages me in these verses: It's not about valleys and mountain tops, it's about finding your strength in the source of strength, God. 

Notice that it says "from strength to strength", not from mountain top to mountain top. What is important is to know our strength is in Christ. In verse 6 the Valley of Baca can mean the Valley of Tears. Interesting word picture. Sometimes the battle is tough, and even brings us to a point of tears. The psalmist proclaims that even in the valley, when we make God our strength, we make a valley of tears into a valley of pools or blessings!

What this leads me to do is ask myself if I am trying to get to a mountain top or to my strength which is found in God alone. These verses exhort me to look to God to be my strength. I encourage you to remember that God is your strength not matter where you are and he will turn your tears into blessings.

Ever Praising God

Blessed are those whose dwell 
   in your house

   they are ever praising you.

Psalms 84:4 NIV

I praise God because a few weeks ago I asked a co-worker how he was doing and he said not so good because his brother was given two months to live. I asked him if I could pray with him and we prayed right then and there. This past week he told me his brother has had a complete turn around, the doctors say he is doing better and went back to work. He thanked me the prayers and gave glory to God. 

What You Really Crave

 How lovely is your dwelling place,

   Lord Almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints,

   for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh cry out 

   for the living God.

Psalms 84:1-2 NIV

Every afternoon I get a little hungry and I usually eat some snack. Recently, I started to try to eat more fruit. So, instead of chips or something I been eating apples, melons, and pineapples in the afternoon. I've noticed that I have had a bit more energy and lost over five pounds. 

Here's the lesson: even though I kinda want something that tastes strong, what my body really craves is fruit. Spiritually, we may crave a lot of things, but what we really need is the Lord. We may want someones attention when we really need to be in God's presence. We make seek to do things that are exciting and exotic but, if we are not doing it with the Lord, it's just an effort to fulfill some inner need with an adrenaline rush. What we really need is to be in the presence of the Lord. Once we learn to find our fulfillment in Christ we will truly enjoy whatever else God places before us. 

I Now Live

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 

Galatians 2:20 NIV

I now live... I live by faith. I live by faith in the love of Christ who gave himself for me. 

Paul, in effect, is telling us, by his example, to live as crucified men and women who are alive in Christ. I take that as my flesh, my sinful nature is crucified with Christ but my spiritual nature is alive with Christ. This is so deep I know I can't do it justice, but, I can remember that as I approach this day I approach it from not just the cross, where my sins are forgiven, but also from the empty tomb where I am resurrected to a new life in Christ. I live by faith in this body until I am made fully new. 

Word of the Day: Most High, God is Most High

Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord—that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.

Psalms 83:18 NIV

The truth is that God is Most High over all the earth. Even our present circumstances, situation and predicament. 

Father, open our lives to see you as Most High in our lives. You know the battles we are in and the foes we face each day. Strengthen us to fight the good fight in your strength. Reign as the Most High in us today!

The Purifying Process of Obedience

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 

1 Peter 1:22-23 NIV

The truth is that in Christ we are saved. We are made children of God. The holiness and righteousness of Jesus becomes our holiness and righteousness.

We act in faith, obedience, and the Spirit of God works to purify our hearts and minds. Acting in love is what this process looks like.

His Grace is Always Enough

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NIV

They used to say that if you called Rolls Royce and asked them the horsepower of their engines they would simply say, "Sufficient." No matter who you were, the answer was always same, "Sufficient." No matter what you were going to do with the car, it power and horsepower was sufficient. 

For Paul, it was not just that God would forgive him but that God would empower him to fight the good fight and withstand the constant thorn in the flesh that he battled. In a way, we don't fully see God's power until we understand our weakness and insufficiency. 

Like Paul, we can boast that in our weaknesses Christ's power rests on us. We may wonder if we can make it, if we can stand strong in him. The Lord's answer is always the same, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Boast in God's Faithfulness

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 

2 Corinthians 11:30 NIV

Why? Because for Paul it was all about glorifying God, not himself. He wanted to show God's greatness and  God's faithfulness, not his own. 

Almost seven years ago I got bumped back from an administrative position. I did well but cutbacks pushed some of us out. Getting back in has proved to be difficult. But, several times I have had opportunities to share Christ that I probably would not have had as an administrator. Also, I recently discovered some practices that have been going on that I would not have been able, ethically, to do. I think God knew that. But, it's not about me being highly ethical, it's about God keeping me from a situation where I would be forced to be unethical or step down. 

The lesson to be learned is that in all things we seek God's glory, not our own. Our weaknesses are not problems to God. He will be great. He will be faithful.

Things My Mother Taught Me

Listen, my son, to your father's instruction

   and do not forsake your mother's teaching.

They will be a garland to grace your head

   and a chain to adorn your neck.

Proverbs 1:8-9

There are a lot of things my mother taught me. Allow me to share

just a few.

Son, if you have a problem with one person, it might be them. If you have a problem with two, three or more, your the problem. 

Always wait two weeks to buy something you don't absolutely need, If you still want it, you've had time to think about if you really can afford it.

There's two kinds of people. Good people and bad people. It doesn't matter what color they are, what they look like or where they come from.

What would Jesus do?

These are just a few and if you have any you'd like to share please feel free to do so in the comment section. 

Word of the Day: Strength, God is my Strength

Sing for joy to God our strength;

   shout aloud to the God of Jacob!

Begin the music, strike the timbrel,

   play the melodious harp and lyre.

Psalms 81:1-2 NIV

God is our strength! 

I generally try to eat right and get some exercise. I try to do things to help keep up my strength. But my real strength, my inner strength comes from God. The love of Christ compelling me, the Spirit leading, convicting and guiding me. This is my strength. God is our strength.

Do You Need a Little Revival?

Then we will not turn away from you;

   Revive us, and we will call on your name. 

Psalms 80:18 NIV

Sometimes you just come to a point were you realize that you're not walking in the same direction as Christ. For whatever reason, circumstances or your own bad choices, you find that you need to get reset on following the Lord. All you can do is ask you to revive you. 

As soon as you ask, God hears you. Remember Proverbs 3:5-6:

   Trust in the LORD with all your heart

      and lean not on your own understanding;

   in all your ways acknowledge him,

      and he will make your paths straight.

He will make your paths straight. Isn't that awesome? The point is to seek him. Seek him and he takes care of what is in front on you. 

Do you need a little revival? Just ask...

Perfecting Your Holiness, Reverence is the Bottom Line

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV

Most importantly, in Christ we are holy and righteous. At the same time, we are being made holy and righteous in Christ. Our faith is being perfected. This does not happen without our participation. We choose what encounters not just our bodies, but our lives and our spirit as well.

We make choices about what we allow to ferment in our hearts and minds. Many images and ideas get put before us everyday. But, we must choose what we will dwell on and interact with. 

The bottom line is reverence for God. If I have reverence for God, there is things I won't do and things I will do. I won't use someone for my own person gain or pleasure, but I will serve others in the Name of Jesus Christ. For me reverence for God is a mixture of fear and respect, humility and gratefulness. 

It's Time

 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you,and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 NIV

Feeling a bit under the weather, but, these verses encouraged me this morning. Press on my friends!

What's Your Goal?

So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

2 Corinthians 5:9 NIV

One time, while attending a Scouting event, my youngest son, who at the time was maybe a Tiger Cub Scout, wanted to throw a hatchet. After standing in line for a long time he got tired and wanted to go back to our camp area. I told him, if he hit the bulls eye I'd buy him a hat (with LED lights in it) that he was looking at. About ten minutes later it was finally his turn and sure enough, he takes aim and hits the bulls eye with his first shot. He had a desire, he had a goal, he got the hat. 

Sometimes we just need to be reminded that our goal is to please the Lord. We may do a lot of different things throughout the day, but, the goal is to please God.  Whether it be cleaning up your mess so your wife doesn't have to do it, or cleaning up a mess at work so the next person doesn't have to deal with it, do it to please God. 

Is That You I Smell?

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

2 Corinthians 2:14-15 NIV

I love the smell of good coffee. It's part of my daily routine of waking up, making my coffee, reading my Bible and praying. It's a good aroma that I associate with spending time with God. I pray that my life would leave the aroma of Christ. 

Lord, help me to leave the sweet smell of salvation with each person you graciously put before me today.

Quick, Mercy Save Me!

 Do not hold against us the sins of past generations;

   may your mercy come quickly to meet us,

   for we are in desperate need.

Psalms 79:8 NIV

Sometimes there is no time for pleasantries. All we can do is cry out for mercy. "Lord, have mercy on me, because I am in desperate need."